Designing and Leading Change Book Review

March 28, 2019

In 2016 I had the privilege of attending a three-day workshop in San Francisco facilitated by David Sibbet and Gisela Wendling on Designing and Leading Change. This was one of those workshops that challenges your thinking on many levels – firstly, by pushing the thought boundaries for different disciplines, then by linking/overlapping those extended boundaries for a more holistic, systematic and visual approach that could be applied to your change initiative.

I was thrilled recently to be able to order from Amazon the Sibbert/Wendling book shown above as soon as it was available. Turning the pages of this book was both inspiring and reminiscent of the workshop. Sibbett and Wendling have managed to convey the essence of their thoughts on Dialogic Practices, Visual Facilitation and Change Practices. All of which are a special interest of mine – alas my skill level in the visual practice still requires much work!

The book is visually interesting (as one would expect from David Sibbert) and is filled with models and practical application examples, for example the Seven Challenges of Change. Wendling has woven through her experience and research on multicultural perspectives to change, including the role of ‘ritual’ in organisations. In particular I have found the Liminal Pathways Change Framework useful to further explain the work of William Bridges and the Prosci three States of Change. The content is a helpful resource from an OD practitioner’s perspective as the models and practices can be integrated into your existing methodologies drawing on the research from many well-known experts.

The book is divided into four parts and the key content is outlined below:

PART I: Imagining Visual Consulting

The Potential of Visual Consulting

What Kind of Consultant Are You?

Capabilities You’ll Need

PART II: Visualizing Change

Finding and Contracting Clients

Basic Patterns of Change

Seven Challenges of Change

PART III: Visual Consulting Practices

Activating Awareness

Engaging Change Leaders

Creating & Sharing Possibilities

Stepping into a New, Shared Vision

Empowering Visible Action

Integrating Systemic Change

Sustaining Long Term

PART IV: Expanding Your Business

Toward Mastery

Thanks to David and Gisela for sharing their extensive knowledge and experience through this great book.